16 dec 2014
Member of Hamas's political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk said that several parties started to intervene to launch new prisoner swap talks with his Movement to release Israeli soldiers captured in the Gaza Strip.
In an interview with Maan satellite channel on Monday night, Abu Marzouk added that it is too early to talk about any prisoner swap deal with Israel, stressing that Israel, first, must respect its obligations under the ceasefire agreement it had signed in August.
"Hamas will not talk about anything related to Israeli soldiers before Israel implements what has been agreed upon in the truce agreement sealed on last August 26 in Cairo."
In a separate context, Abu Marzouk said the reconciliation with Fatah faction was stalled by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas and needs a political decision from him to proceed with it.
During the last Israeli war on Gaza, al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas had claimed its capture of an Israeli soldier identified as Shaul Aron during an army incursion into an area to the east of Gaza city.
Two days later, the Israeli army admitted it had lost contact with the soldier Aron and said he might have been killed during armed confrontations with Hamas fighters.
Hamas was also accused by Israel of seizing the body of a senior officer called Hadar Goldin, who was killed in eastern Rafah. However, the Israeli claim has not been confirmed or denied by the Movement.
In an interview with Maan satellite channel on Monday night, Abu Marzouk added that it is too early to talk about any prisoner swap deal with Israel, stressing that Israel, first, must respect its obligations under the ceasefire agreement it had signed in August.
"Hamas will not talk about anything related to Israeli soldiers before Israel implements what has been agreed upon in the truce agreement sealed on last August 26 in Cairo."
In a separate context, Abu Marzouk said the reconciliation with Fatah faction was stalled by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas and needs a political decision from him to proceed with it.
During the last Israeli war on Gaza, al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas had claimed its capture of an Israeli soldier identified as Shaul Aron during an army incursion into an area to the east of Gaza city.
Two days later, the Israeli army admitted it had lost contact with the soldier Aron and said he might have been killed during armed confrontations with Hamas fighters.
Hamas was also accused by Israel of seizing the body of a senior officer called Hadar Goldin, who was killed in eastern Rafah. However, the Israeli claim has not been confirmed or denied by the Movement.
Israeli Tank Invading Gaza (file)
Media sources in Gaza has reported that five Israeli military vehicles carried out, on Tuesday morning, a limited invasion into Palestinian lands east of the southern Gaza Strip districts of Rafah and Khan Younis.
The sources said the vehicles came from Karem Abu Salem military base, across the border, and advanced a short distance into the farmlands, while several tanks and armored vehicles were stationed close to the border fence.
The soldiers then started maintenance work on the Abu Reeda military gate, southeast of Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis.
Israel recently started operations to replace a number of military gates of the border fence with Gaza, largely used for limited invasions into Palestinians lands.
Media sources in Gaza has reported that five Israeli military vehicles carried out, on Tuesday morning, a limited invasion into Palestinian lands east of the southern Gaza Strip districts of Rafah and Khan Younis.
The sources said the vehicles came from Karem Abu Salem military base, across the border, and advanced a short distance into the farmlands, while several tanks and armored vehicles were stationed close to the border fence.
The soldiers then started maintenance work on the Abu Reeda military gate, southeast of Khuza’a town, east of Khan Younis.
Israel recently started operations to replace a number of military gates of the border fence with Gaza, largely used for limited invasions into Palestinians lands.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened machine-gun fire Tuesday morning at Palestinian homes in southern Gaza Strip.
Local sources said that the IOF soldiers stationed at the border fence east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza opened heavy fire at the citizens’ homes in Khuzaa town.
The shooting attack coincided with unusual movements of Israeli troops on the southern border areas and extensive flight of pilotless planes.
Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement reached on August 26 between Palestinian resistance and Israeli occupation authorities under Egyptian auspices have notably increased.
Local sources said that the IOF soldiers stationed at the border fence east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza opened heavy fire at the citizens’ homes in Khuzaa town.
The shooting attack coincided with unusual movements of Israeli troops on the southern border areas and extensive flight of pilotless planes.
Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement reached on August 26 between Palestinian resistance and Israeli occupation authorities under Egyptian auspices have notably increased.
UN special coordinator for the Middle East Robert Serry warned of the uncertain future of the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis and the gravity of the political obstacles hindering the reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.
This came during his speech at the UN Security Council session held on Monday to listen to his report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and other Middle East areas.
Serry expressed hope that the Egyptian authorities could overcome its security issues soon so as to reopen the Rafah border crossing and allow the movement of passengers and goods into and from Gaza.
The UN official also called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities towards the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.
He also warned that the collapse of the ruling coalition in Israel and the scheduling of early elections on March 17, 2015 should not be an excuse for either side to let the present situation in the occupied territories get worse.
Serry stressed the need for restoring the hope for a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict before it is too late, adding that achieving progress in the peace process needs an effective role by the international community.
He noted that the recent legislative steps in Europe towards recognizing a Palestinian state as well as the agreement by the League of Arab States to present to the Security Council a draft resolution setting a time frame for its implementation were important but not a substitute for a genuine peace process recognized by both parties.
He conveyed the UN secretary-general’s hope that the council members would back a meaningful and constructive framework for renewed negotiations instead of giving the Palestinians a time frame for their state.
This came during his speech at the UN Security Council session held on Monday to listen to his report on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and other Middle East areas.
Serry expressed hope that the Egyptian authorities could overcome its security issues soon so as to reopen the Rafah border crossing and allow the movement of passengers and goods into and from Gaza.
The UN official also called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities towards the peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.
He also warned that the collapse of the ruling coalition in Israel and the scheduling of early elections on March 17, 2015 should not be an excuse for either side to let the present situation in the occupied territories get worse.
Serry stressed the need for restoring the hope for a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict before it is too late, adding that achieving progress in the peace process needs an effective role by the international community.
He noted that the recent legislative steps in Europe towards recognizing a Palestinian state as well as the agreement by the League of Arab States to present to the Security Council a draft resolution setting a time frame for its implementation were important but not a substitute for a genuine peace process recognized by both parties.
He conveyed the UN secretary-general’s hope that the council members would back a meaningful and constructive framework for renewed negotiations instead of giving the Palestinians a time frame for their state.
The Moroccan Committee in Support of the Nation’s Causes slammed the Israeli occupation for the series of crimes and state terrorism perpetrated against the Palestinian people and Islamic holy sites across the occupied Palestinian territories.
A statement issued by the committee's central bureau, following its weekly meeting in Casablanca, raised alarm bells over the alarming state of affairs in Occupied Jerusalem and Gaza.
The committee reiterated its firm rebuff of the anti-humanitarian siege imposed by the Israeli occupation on the Gaza Strip for eight uninterrupted years.
The conveners called on the international community to take up its responsibility vis-à-vis the cause and push for the reconstruction of Gaza at the soonest time possible.
The meeting was convened against the backdrop of the simmering tension rocking the occupied Palestinian territories due to Israel’s pre-planned assaults on Palestinian civilians and holy sites.
The committee voiced disappointment over Israel’s murder of the Palestinian official Ziyad Abu Ein and the Judaization plots weaved against Muslims’ al-Aqsa compound in an attempt to enforce a spatio-temporal division on a typically Islamic site.
The committee hailed the pro-Palestine moves staged by a consortium of Moroccan institutions and committees.
A statement issued by the committee's central bureau, following its weekly meeting in Casablanca, raised alarm bells over the alarming state of affairs in Occupied Jerusalem and Gaza.
The committee reiterated its firm rebuff of the anti-humanitarian siege imposed by the Israeli occupation on the Gaza Strip for eight uninterrupted years.
The conveners called on the international community to take up its responsibility vis-à-vis the cause and push for the reconstruction of Gaza at the soonest time possible.
The meeting was convened against the backdrop of the simmering tension rocking the occupied Palestinian territories due to Israel’s pre-planned assaults on Palestinian civilians and holy sites.
The committee voiced disappointment over Israel’s murder of the Palestinian official Ziyad Abu Ein and the Judaization plots weaved against Muslims’ al-Aqsa compound in an attempt to enforce a spatio-temporal division on a typically Islamic site.
The committee hailed the pro-Palestine moves staged by a consortium of Moroccan institutions and committees.
15 dec 2014
The Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights hailed Switzerland for its intention to host a meeting of signatory states to the Geneva conventions to discuss Israel's violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Euro-Mid observer considered the intended meeting, slated to be held on 17 December, an important step to pressure Israel to respect its obligations as an occupying power under the rules of the international humanitarian law and expressed hope that it would yield effective results.
"We were not surprised by the Israeli decision not to attend the meeting and its call on the member states to boycott it because Israel knows more than anyone the extent of its violation of the Geneva conventions, especially since it has emerged from a harsh war in which it dealt with the civilians in the Gaza Strip in an inhumane way, killing more than 2,100 persons during 50 days," the human rights group underlined.
The rights group appealed to the participating member countries, especially the European signatories, to effectively work on developing mechanisms that could force Israel to abide by the Geneva conventions in the occupied territories and monitor its respect for the international law.
It also called for activating the principle of universal jurisdiction that allows the courts of those states to claim criminal jurisdiction over an accused person regardless of where he or she committed their crime or his or her nationality as long as their country is a party to the conventions.
The Euro-Mid observer considered the intended meeting, slated to be held on 17 December, an important step to pressure Israel to respect its obligations as an occupying power under the rules of the international humanitarian law and expressed hope that it would yield effective results.
"We were not surprised by the Israeli decision not to attend the meeting and its call on the member states to boycott it because Israel knows more than anyone the extent of its violation of the Geneva conventions, especially since it has emerged from a harsh war in which it dealt with the civilians in the Gaza Strip in an inhumane way, killing more than 2,100 persons during 50 days," the human rights group underlined.
The rights group appealed to the participating member countries, especially the European signatories, to effectively work on developing mechanisms that could force Israel to abide by the Geneva conventions in the occupied territories and monitor its respect for the international law.
It also called for activating the principle of universal jurisdiction that allows the courts of those states to claim criminal jurisdiction over an accused person regardless of where he or she committed their crime or his or her nationality as long as their country is a party to the conventions.
Hamas political bureau chairman Khaled Mishaal said in press statements that all options are open to break the siege on Gaza Strip, holding the PA and the unity government responsible for the delay of reconstruction process.
In an exclusive interview published in al-Resalah newspaper on Monday, Mishaal accused the Palestinian unity government of delaying Gaza reconstruction.
"It is unreasonable that Gaza which fought a heroic battle and displayed unprecedented steadfastness in face of the occupation, did not yet witness the initiation of the reconstruction process," he said.
Mishaal pointed out that Hamas works on two parallel tracks, the first is to call upon the PA and the unity government to bear their responsibility towards the reconstruction process, while the second track is to work with local institutions to contribute in Gaza reconstruction.
He stressed the besieged Strip’s right to break its blockade, to accelerate its reconstruction, to re-open its airport and seaport.
All options are open to achieve these rights, he added.
The Hamas leader stressed his Movement’s adherence to Palestinian constants and national reconciliation.
The Movement did not and will never intervene in Arab and regional countries’ internal affairs. It is keen to have good relations with all parties, Mishaal underlined.
“Hamas did not make concessions in its strategy and its political programs based on resisting the occupation, liberating holy places, and achieving the national project.”
Hamas’s external relations are based on solid foundations, he added, adding that the Palestinian cause unites all parties in the region as it represents a core issue for the Arab and Islamic Nation and a human just cause.
Mishaal pointed to the presence of external pressures to foil the Palestinian national reconciliation and to keep the internal division as long as possible, expressing disappointment and dissatisfaction over the freezing of the reconciliation agreement.
“We are keen to maintain contacts and joint action with Fatah faction,” he underlined.
Regarding the visit of Hamas’s delegation to Iran, Mishaal stated that his Movement did not break its longtime ties with Iran. There was disagreement regarding the Syrian issue, however we did not break our ties with Iran as the latter’s support did not stop.
Commenting on Hamas’s relationship with Egypt, Mishaal stressed the Movement’s keenness to preserve its good-neighborly ties with Egypt despite the continued incitement.
He renewed his Movement’s keenness on the Egyptian internal security and stability, asserting that his Movement had never intervened in Egypt’s internal affairs.
In an exclusive interview published in al-Resalah newspaper on Monday, Mishaal accused the Palestinian unity government of delaying Gaza reconstruction.
"It is unreasonable that Gaza which fought a heroic battle and displayed unprecedented steadfastness in face of the occupation, did not yet witness the initiation of the reconstruction process," he said.
Mishaal pointed out that Hamas works on two parallel tracks, the first is to call upon the PA and the unity government to bear their responsibility towards the reconstruction process, while the second track is to work with local institutions to contribute in Gaza reconstruction.
He stressed the besieged Strip’s right to break its blockade, to accelerate its reconstruction, to re-open its airport and seaport.
All options are open to achieve these rights, he added.
The Hamas leader stressed his Movement’s adherence to Palestinian constants and national reconciliation.
The Movement did not and will never intervene in Arab and regional countries’ internal affairs. It is keen to have good relations with all parties, Mishaal underlined.
“Hamas did not make concessions in its strategy and its political programs based on resisting the occupation, liberating holy places, and achieving the national project.”
Hamas’s external relations are based on solid foundations, he added, adding that the Palestinian cause unites all parties in the region as it represents a core issue for the Arab and Islamic Nation and a human just cause.
Mishaal pointed to the presence of external pressures to foil the Palestinian national reconciliation and to keep the internal division as long as possible, expressing disappointment and dissatisfaction over the freezing of the reconciliation agreement.
“We are keen to maintain contacts and joint action with Fatah faction,” he underlined.
Regarding the visit of Hamas’s delegation to Iran, Mishaal stated that his Movement did not break its longtime ties with Iran. There was disagreement regarding the Syrian issue, however we did not break our ties with Iran as the latter’s support did not stop.
Commenting on Hamas’s relationship with Egypt, Mishaal stressed the Movement’s keenness to preserve its good-neighborly ties with Egypt despite the continued incitement.
He renewed his Movement’s keenness on the Egyptian internal security and stability, asserting that his Movement had never intervened in Egypt’s internal affairs.
14 dec 2014
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Al-Aqsa satellite channel on Saturday broadcast a video recording showing an elite commando group from al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas withdrawing easily from an Israeli military post to the east of al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza during the last Israeli war.
The Brigades carried out the commando raid on the Israeli military post known as Abu Mutaibeq on July 19, 2014. The video footage belied Israeli army claims then that its soldiers had eliminated al-Qassam group during its infiltration into the post. At the time, al-Qassam Brigades, for its part, had claimed responsibility |
for carrying out a successful mission in the mentioned place and killing many soldiers and officers there.
The video release shows resistance fighters from al-Qassam Brigades returning safely and without any military response from the Israeli side to their posts inside Gaza.
This was not the first video recording released by al-Qassam Brigades. The first one showed a group of Qassam naval commandos storming the Zikim coastal base.
Al-Qassam Brigades said it had taken these video recordings from hacked computers belonging to the Israeli army.
The video release shows resistance fighters from al-Qassam Brigades returning safely and without any military response from the Israeli side to their posts inside Gaza.
This was not the first video recording released by al-Qassam Brigades. The first one showed a group of Qassam naval commandos storming the Zikim coastal base.
Al-Qassam Brigades said it had taken these video recordings from hacked computers belonging to the Israeli army.
13 dec 2014
The ministry of Agriculture in Gaza voiced firm rebuff to an Israeli request to meet with Palestinian farmers over the issue of toxic pesticides sprayed on their crops by Israeli warplanes last month.
The ministry had asked the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) to identify the nature of the substance sprayed over Palestinian farmlands in mid-November near the security fence, adjacent to southern Gaza, A PIC correspondent quoted government sources as reporting.
The IOA laid down a set of stipulations, weeks after the request, saying the probe could only be carried out if samples of damaged crops are taken as case studies and Palestinian farmers are interviewed.
The Palestinian ministry rejected the appeal for fear of the security repercussions resulting from Israeli interrogation procedures.
A drove of Israeli warplanes had sprayed toxic herbicides over large areas of Palestinians’ crops and farmlands, for three days, that penetrated as deep as 1500 meters of the targeted lands located west of the border fence separating Gaza and 1948 Occupied Palestine.
More than 600 dunums of Palestinian cultivated land lots have sustained considerable damage in the process.
The ministry had asked the Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) to identify the nature of the substance sprayed over Palestinian farmlands in mid-November near the security fence, adjacent to southern Gaza, A PIC correspondent quoted government sources as reporting.
The IOA laid down a set of stipulations, weeks after the request, saying the probe could only be carried out if samples of damaged crops are taken as case studies and Palestinian farmers are interviewed.
The Palestinian ministry rejected the appeal for fear of the security repercussions resulting from Israeli interrogation procedures.
A drove of Israeli warplanes had sprayed toxic herbicides over large areas of Palestinians’ crops and farmlands, for three days, that penetrated as deep as 1500 meters of the targeted lands located west of the border fence separating Gaza and 1948 Occupied Palestine.
More than 600 dunums of Palestinian cultivated land lots have sustained considerable damage in the process.
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) opened machinegun fire at Palestinian farmland to the north and south of the Gaza Strip on Friday inflicting material damage to crops.
Eyewitnesses said that the soldiers opened heavy fire at cultivated land lots to the east of Jabaliya, in northern Gaza, inflicting damage to crops but no human casualties were suffered.
Locals in Abasan town, south of the Strip, said that similar intensive shooting occurred targeting agricultural fields to the east of the town.
IOF soldiers almost daily fire at Palestinian fields in Gaza border areas and at fishermen fishing off the Gaza coast in flagrant violation of the truce agreement signed in Cairo last August after 51 days of bloody Israeli war on the enclave that killed 2100 people and injured 11000 others in addition to destroying thousands of houses.
Eyewitnesses said that the soldiers opened heavy fire at cultivated land lots to the east of Jabaliya, in northern Gaza, inflicting damage to crops but no human casualties were suffered.
Locals in Abasan town, south of the Strip, said that similar intensive shooting occurred targeting agricultural fields to the east of the town.
IOF soldiers almost daily fire at Palestinian fields in Gaza border areas and at fishermen fishing off the Gaza coast in flagrant violation of the truce agreement signed in Cairo last August after 51 days of bloody Israeli war on the enclave that killed 2100 people and injured 11000 others in addition to destroying thousands of houses.
12 dec 2014
A high-level delegation of Hamas Movement led by member of its political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk on Thursday met with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry in Gaza.
During the meeting, Abu Marzouk called for accelerating Gaza's reconstruction process, opening border crossings, and allowing in building materials as agreed upon during the Cairo truce talks.
Serry and Abu Marzouk had also discussed the international investigation into Israel's bombing of UNRWA schools during its summer offensive on Gaza.
Serry arrived in Gaza Thursday morning through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in an attempt to prevent any escalation that might happen between resistance factions in Gaza and Israel in light of the latter's continued siege on Gaza and its rejection to allow the entry of construction materials into the Strip.
For his part, Serry expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza in light of the continued closure of crossings and the discouraging climate for reconstruction.
In a press release, the UN envoy revealed his intention to brief the Security Council next week on the need for all donor parties and the international community to fulfill their pledges they had made at the Gaza reconstruction conference in Cairo in order to give the population more than hope, help them rebuild their lives and create conditions that will lead to an end to the blockade.
"This includes progress on all fronts, progress which must be made now lest we see Gaza fall back into yet another conflict," he said.
He pointed out that by the end of this month more than 20,000 homeowners are expected to be able to procure construction materials for urgent repairs of their dwellings.
However, he stressed that this can only be the beginning of an effective process to rebuild Gaza and much more needs have to be provided.
During the meeting, Abu Marzouk called for accelerating Gaza's reconstruction process, opening border crossings, and allowing in building materials as agreed upon during the Cairo truce talks.
Serry and Abu Marzouk had also discussed the international investigation into Israel's bombing of UNRWA schools during its summer offensive on Gaza.
Serry arrived in Gaza Thursday morning through Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in an attempt to prevent any escalation that might happen between resistance factions in Gaza and Israel in light of the latter's continued siege on Gaza and its rejection to allow the entry of construction materials into the Strip.
For his part, Serry expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza in light of the continued closure of crossings and the discouraging climate for reconstruction.
In a press release, the UN envoy revealed his intention to brief the Security Council next week on the need for all donor parties and the international community to fulfill their pledges they had made at the Gaza reconstruction conference in Cairo in order to give the population more than hope, help them rebuild their lives and create conditions that will lead to an end to the blockade.
"This includes progress on all fronts, progress which must be made now lest we see Gaza fall back into yet another conflict," he said.
He pointed out that by the end of this month more than 20,000 homeowners are expected to be able to procure construction materials for urgent repairs of their dwellings.
However, he stressed that this can only be the beginning of an effective process to rebuild Gaza and much more needs have to be provided.
11 dec 2014
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, arrived in Gaza Thursday morning via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to meet with unity government's ministers and a delegation of Hamas Movement headed by politburo member Mousa Abu Marzouk, the PIC reporter quoted informed sources as saying.
According to the PIC correspondent, Serry arrived to Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk's office afternoon Thursday in order to meet with Hamas's delegation.
Serry is also expected to meet later today with a number of local businessmen in order to check on the reconstruction process in Gaza.
Reliable sources said that Serry's visit was meant to prevent any deterioration that might occur between resistance factions in Gaza and Israel in light of the latter's continued siege on Gaza and its rejection to allow construction materials' entry into the Strip as agreed upon during the Cairo truce negotiations.
According to the PIC correspondent, Serry arrived to Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk's office afternoon Thursday in order to meet with Hamas's delegation.
Serry is also expected to meet later today with a number of local businessmen in order to check on the reconstruction process in Gaza.
Reliable sources said that Serry's visit was meant to prevent any deterioration that might occur between resistance factions in Gaza and Israel in light of the latter's continued siege on Gaza and its rejection to allow construction materials' entry into the Strip as agreed upon during the Cairo truce negotiations.
10 dec 2014
UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) launched Tuesday an emergency appeal for US$ 414 million to support some of the most disadvantaged Palestinians in the Middle East – Palestinian refugees living in the occupied Palestinian territory.
At a launch event in Geneva, UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Margot Ellis said, “It is with a great sense of disappointment that 2014 is ending as yet another year without a durable solution to the plight of Palestine refugees.”
On July 7, Israel carried out a fierce attack on Gaza Strip that lasted for 51 days, and resulted in more than 2000 martyrs, 11,000 injured, and 100,000 homeless people.
“This year has borne witness to violent conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory that has yet again caused the irreparable and inconsolable loss of lives…. 2014 has been a particularly devastating year for Palestinians, who continue to suffer under occupation and who continue to be robbed of their homes, their development and in many cases, their lives,” Ellis said.
The Deputy Commissioner-General added that “the Emergency Appeal is symbolic of the collective failure of the international community to end the systematic suffering of Palestine refugees”.
Therefore, the UNRWA emergency program in Gaza seeks to provide basic food to over 800,000 food-insecure refugees, and provide 245,000 students with one small meal per school day. UNRWA will also provide emergency cash assistance, he added.
At a launch event in Geneva, UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Margot Ellis said, “It is with a great sense of disappointment that 2014 is ending as yet another year without a durable solution to the plight of Palestine refugees.”
On July 7, Israel carried out a fierce attack on Gaza Strip that lasted for 51 days, and resulted in more than 2000 martyrs, 11,000 injured, and 100,000 homeless people.
“This year has borne witness to violent conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory that has yet again caused the irreparable and inconsolable loss of lives…. 2014 has been a particularly devastating year for Palestinians, who continue to suffer under occupation and who continue to be robbed of their homes, their development and in many cases, their lives,” Ellis said.
The Deputy Commissioner-General added that “the Emergency Appeal is symbolic of the collective failure of the international community to end the systematic suffering of Palestine refugees”.
Therefore, the UNRWA emergency program in Gaza seeks to provide basic food to over 800,000 food-insecure refugees, and provide 245,000 students with one small meal per school day. UNRWA will also provide emergency cash assistance, he added.
More than 100 days have passed since the end of Israel’s summer offensive on Gaza, however the reconstruction process is still dragging, Palestinian MP Jamal al-Khudari, who is heading the Public Committee Against the Gaza Blockade, said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Khudari underlined that Israel refuses to allow the entry of building materials required for the reconstruction of Gaza via its controlled border crossings. He added that only very limited quantities are allowed in to be then used for media propaganda.
The reconstruction of Gaza can only be achieved after the opening of the border crossings under Israeli control and allowing a safe passage between Gaza and the West Bank, he stressed.
Opening all the border crossings is a Palestinian non-waiver demand, he said, pointing out that Karem Abu Salem alone crossing could not meet the Strip’s urgent needs.
Khudari emphasized that the decisions made in the conference on reconstructing Gaza in Cairo remain completely under Israel's control, calling on the donor countries to take definitive steps to accelerate the reconstruction of Gaza.
90 percent of Gaza's people are now living in poverty, while 65% of them are unemployed due to the repeated Israeli aggressions and siege on the Strip, the MP elaborated.
He also urged the international community to pressure Israel for violating the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
He stressed the need to unite the Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic efforts to restore the Palestinian legitimate rights.
On July 7, Israel carried out a fierce attack on Gaza Strip that lasted for 51 days, and resulted in more than 2000 martyrs, 11,000 injured, and 100,000 homeless people.
In a statement on Wednesday, Khudari underlined that Israel refuses to allow the entry of building materials required for the reconstruction of Gaza via its controlled border crossings. He added that only very limited quantities are allowed in to be then used for media propaganda.
The reconstruction of Gaza can only be achieved after the opening of the border crossings under Israeli control and allowing a safe passage between Gaza and the West Bank, he stressed.
Opening all the border crossings is a Palestinian non-waiver demand, he said, pointing out that Karem Abu Salem alone crossing could not meet the Strip’s urgent needs.
Khudari emphasized that the decisions made in the conference on reconstructing Gaza in Cairo remain completely under Israel's control, calling on the donor countries to take definitive steps to accelerate the reconstruction of Gaza.
90 percent of Gaza's people are now living in poverty, while 65% of them are unemployed due to the repeated Israeli aggressions and siege on the Strip, the MP elaborated.
He also urged the international community to pressure Israel for violating the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
He stressed the need to unite the Palestinian, Arab, and Islamic efforts to restore the Palestinian legitimate rights.
On July 7, Israel carried out a fierce attack on Gaza Strip that lasted for 51 days, and resulted in more than 2000 martyrs, 11,000 injured, and 100,000 homeless people.
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Truce violations List of names Pictures of martyrs
Days: Aug: 26 - 25 - 24 - 23 - 22 - 21 - 20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1
July: 31 - 30 - 29 - 28 - 27 - 26 - 25 - 24 - 23 - 22 - 21 - 20 - 19 - 18 - 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8
